Status of Outdoor Dining Tents During the Winter Months

Sun, 12/05/2021 - 10:16pm

This fall many students have elected to eat school meals in the outdoor dining tent that was put in place at each HCPSS elementary school as an additional health safeguard during the pandemic. Now that winter is on our doorstep, and we expect to have much colder temperatures and precipitation, the tents will soon be removed for the winter months, December through February. This is necessary to ensure the safety of our students and staff, because the tents are not designed to sustain heavy snow, wind or ice accumulation; they cannot be safely heated, and lowering the sides that are currently left open would not allow adequate outdoor air ventilation to occur.

HCPSS plans to reinstall the tents outside all elementary schools at the beginning of March 2022, with the specific timing dependent on weather conditions. 

We will continue to designate outdoor spaces at our school throughout the winter months where students may choose to eat their meals as weather conditions allow. As a reminder, please send your child to school dressed appropriately for weather conditions, especially if they plan to eat lunch outdoors. 

Thank you for your support and collaboration in ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment for all students. As a reminder, please use this form to change your child's current seating.